Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa has highlighted the country's potential to become a global cruise hub, emphasising collaboration with international cruise operators to establish Indonesia as a home port.
The government is enhancing maritime infrastructure and policies to support this vision, with Bali's Benoa Port playing a key role. Recent improvements have enabled the port to accommodate multiple large cruise ships simultaneously, and its capacity continues to expand.
In 2024, Benoa Port handled 59 cruise ships, up from 48 in 2023, with 77 visits expected this year. The maritime tourism sector, particularly in Bali, is projected to contribute significantly to Indonesia’s tourism growth.
With 75% of the world’s maritime biodiversity, Indonesia aims to attract more marine tourism enthusiasts. The country targets 14.6–16 million foreign visitors in 2025, with cross-sector collaboration seen as crucial to achieving this goal.
Bali remains Indonesia’s top tourist destination, accounting for 45% of the country’s 13.8 million foreign arrivals in 2024. Other key marine tourism sites include Labuan Bajo and Raja Ampat./.
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